[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Ja’Kobe Walter
Frame: 6’5″, 195 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Baylor Bears
2024 Draft Age: 19
Stats via www.basketball-reference.com

Offense

Walter came out of the gate firing to begin his freshman year against Auburn. He dropped 28 points while showcasing a surprisingly developed three-level scorer. Walter arrived at Baylor as a highly touted offensive player and did not disappoint. He has deep NBA range and a picture-perfect jumper. With the backspin Walter gets on the ball as he’s shooting, it looks like every jumper he takes will fall—and he takes over games when hot, like the hoop is as wide as an ocean for him.

More of a rhythm shooter, Walter can put the ball on the floor and drive, though his finishing package around the hoop can use some more creativity. His ability to control both his body and the ball when he has possession is impressive, and on drives, he has a quick change of pace move that garners some space for him to gather, rise up and shoot in a defender’s face. In the mid-range, Walter has a knack for springing up quickly and releasing his shot over a defender’s length. Though he is not an elite athlete by NBA standards, Walter certainly shows promise in blow-by moves and finding ways to create space for his shot.

With his measured wingspan at 6’10” and his shot mechanics, Walter will fit very well on the court as the off-ball guard and some spot duty on the wing. How he gets his shots and the floor- -spacing around him will help him continue to develop an offensive repertoire. Walter is a natural scorer who also moves well without the ball to get open. Often, he’s chased around screens, using his maturity and IQ to bring his defender into the screener, making sure his feet are set to get the shot up before the defender can contest.

If he can tap into more of his ball-handling and playmaking skills and grow that part of his game, he will become an even more significant threat to defenses. As a volume scorer, he can heat up, but his shot-making is not always consistent, and if the first few aren’t dropping, it could turn into a long night for Walter. If his developmental trajectory continues, he will still hear his name called in the lottery and may be one of the more-remembered players from this draft.

Defense

Walter can defend three positions due to his length and athleticism, but the biggest area of improvement must be in his defensive game. While he will surely add muscle to his frame to be a more physical presence, Walter must be more locked in defensively overall. Whether that means being in the film room more or working on awareness drills, this is vital to his overall growth and development at the NBA level. Watching him throughout the year, Walter usually took the tougher defensive assignment in the backcourt, so he does value defense seriously but could use a bit more seasoning. He just needs to grow out of ball-watching a bit.

Using his length this season, Walter racked up 1.1 steals per game. As a willing defender, his ability to disrupt passing lanes will become an even greater advantage with more physicality in his game. The energy is there, but the commitment to locking in occasionally wanes. He could become a prototypical 3-and-D player with microwave scoring ability and long-term lockdown defensive potential.

Showing he can hold his own against more rugged wings in the league while still being able to switch onto the backcourt player will be a key for him as well. His years at Link Academy before coming to Baylor showed some defensive flashes not seen this year, so there is also unlocked potential on defense for Walter to show.

Looking Ahead

Walter’s offensive skills got him noticed, and his defensive growth could solidify his spot in a rotation at the NBA level. Teams also note Walter’s ability to drive the ball and draw fouls. Even though his free throw percentage was a shade under eighty, with his shooting form and reps, those numbers will improve. Similarly, Walter’s three-point shooting was sub-35 percent for the year, but he will have room for improvement as he becomes more consistent in shooting the ball.

Walter secured his spot as a likely lottery selection this year, but he is not coming in as a finished product. His playmaking will need to be improved, as well as the defensive spots mentioned; however, what Walter will be ready with from day one is tough shot-making, off-ball movement and pre-shot preparation to be able to improve those percentages. As a big guard with defensive potential, Walters’ game is reminiscent of Reggie Bullock and Kentavius Caldwell-Pope’s. He can carve out minutes offensively as a quick scoring option if his shot is falling, but he can remain on the court with an improved defensive game and showcase his full talent.